You need to take proper care of your teeth and gums if you want to maintain a sparkling smile. Good oral health is vital to your ability to speak and aids in digestion. Besides observing oral hygiene practices like brushing, flossing, and regularly visiting the dentist, you need to avoid poor oral habits to keep your teeth healthy.
These habits limit the functionality of your teeth and gums and increase the risk of conditions like gum disease and oral cancer developing.
So, let’s take a look at bad habits you need to avoid and kick them for good.
Using Tobacco Products
Smoking is a common method of tobacco consumption, and besides affecting your respiratory system, it has several adverse effects on your oral health. First, the foul smell produced by burning cigarettes is a leading cause of bad breath. Even if you brush your teeth, it’s impossible to eliminate the unpleasant odour.
Additionally, cigarettes contain tar, which causes tooth discolouration. This is the reason why most chain smokers have brown or yellow teeth.
Smoking cigarettes for many years affects your gum health and increases the risk of tooth loss and gum disease. The same applies to other forms of tobacco consumption, such as snorting and chewing. Research also indicates that tobacco use increases the risk of mouth cancer and other forms of tumours.
While quitting isn’t easy, you can do it if you put your mind to it. Start by attending motivation groups and avoiding temptations.
Eating Sugary Foods
Although this problem primarily affects children, many adults have a sweet tooth. Eating sugary foods and drinks increases the risk of developing dental complications.
When you eat sugary stuff, some of the sugar gets stuck between your teeth. The bacteria inside your mouth converts it into acid that erodes your enamel. Over time, these develop into cavities.
Cavities are painful because they expose your nerves. You might need to pull out the affected tooth in case of extensive damage.
The solution to eating sugary foods and drinks is finding healthy alternatives. For instance, you can eat fruits instead of candy and drink water, milk, or diluted fruit juice if you are having cravings.
Using Teeth as Tools
Has your friend ever passed a bottle to you, only to discover that you don’t have an opener? The chances are that you used your teeth to open the bottle. While it seems convenient, it can damage your teeth.
Your teeth might be strong, but you shouldn’t use them as tools. Doing so increases the risk of chipping and cracking. In severe cases, you might lose your tooth.
Why take such a risk? Avoid using your teeth for opening bottles, biting hard surfaces, and any other tasks that require substantial effort. Instead, use the designated tools.
Grinding Your Teeth
Some people grind their teeth unknowingly while sleeping. If you experience unexplained headaches and some pain along your jawbone, you might be a victim of bruxism. The solution to grinding your teeth is wearing a mouthguard while sleeping.
Nail Biting
Some people bite their nails to calm down when feeling nervous. This places the jaw in a protruding position for extended periods, increasing the risk of jaw dysfunction.
If you want to stop nail-biting, start by applying bitter nail polishes. You can also meditate or sign up for therapy sessions to deal with your nervousness.
Wrapping Up
Everybody desires white, strong, healthy teeth, but it takes more than discipline to get that sparkling smile. So if you’re practising the negatives mentioned above, consider ditching them immediately.
